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Austereo’s future has been a talking point since the Government’s planned changes to media ownership laws were outlined early last month.But if the actions of major shareholder Village Roadshow are any indication, the radio group might be less vulnerable to a predator than speculated.

Austereo has long pointed to the support of the theme park and cinema operator, which has increased its stake from 66.2 per cent to 67.3 per cent. (Source SMH)

The AFL has put up a $1-million ticket for 2007 radio rights and restructured broadcast packages, which is expected to marginalise the ABC and result in 3AW and SEN fighting for the top-level rights.

The AFL’s senior executive in charge of broadcasting, Ben Buckley, confirmed the league was considering buying a stake in SEN, The Age said.

SEN has revealed it would bid against 3AW and Triple M for radio rights. “SEN are interested in bidding for all the packages we have on offer and we are looking at a relationship with them,” Mr Buckley told The Age.

The A-class package has been costed by the AFL at $1 million per station.Â 3AW met the figure, while Triple M baulked at it.

Industry sources had estimated the costs for rights were between $600,000 and $800,000

We welcome your comments on this topic. What stationsÂ do you thinkÂ will be calling AFL in 2007 and in comparision to TV rights are the radio rights cheap? Â Click on the comments link below to add your thoughts to this story.

Under the terms of Bob Francis new contract with FiveaaÂ he could virtually be finished up in between commercial breaks. The new contact he signed in February allows forÂ instantÂ dismissal if he committed contempt again according toÂ aÂ Fiveaa spokesman.

It was also revealed today that Fiveaa had paidÂ $110,000 to magistrate Gary GumplÂ Â who was defamed byÂ Bob Francis during a talk program. Â

In October last year Francis made on-air comments about a man charged with possessing child pornography, and magistrate Gary Gumpl’s decision to consider bail.

It has been announced that Simon Ruhfus has been appointed as the new General Manager for 2UE, replacing the departedÂ Ian Sheppard.

Simon will bring a new broom to 2UE and an extensive background across the industry including General Sales Manager - Austereo for 2Day FM national network, Marketing Manager for Prime TV, Network General Manager - Sales and Marketing - Australian Radio Network and General Manager Fox FM Melbourne.

You build up a mental image of the face that goes with the voice on the radio, basing your picture on the way they sound, but it’s probably a long way away from the reality.

For the most, though, when you create that mental image, it stays yours - nobody else sees it. However, artist Kieran Boland decided to make his public, by turning his mental images of radio announcers into paintings, and putting them on display in the ‘Face Radio Live’ project. He listened to the radio, painted what he heard and put it on the wall for everyone to see. SOURCE ABC FULL ARTICLE

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that Radio Eastern Sydney Cooperative Ltd, the licensee of community radio service 2RES, breached the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 by broadcasting an advertisement.

On 23 January 2006, ACMA received a complaint alleging that on 22 January 2006 the licensee of 2RES had broadcast an advertisement during the program Monika Geetmala (also known as Voice of India).

ACMA has found that the licensee of 2RES breached clause 9(1)(b) of Part 5, Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 in that it broadcast an advertisement for a restaurant.

To address the compliance issues raised by the breach finding, the licensee has ensured that the presenter of the program is aware of his obligations by reinforcing the need for diligence when presenting a program.

ACMA considers that this action is adequate to address the compliance issues raised by the investigation and ACMA will continue to monitor the licenseeâ€™s performance in this regard.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that Hobart FM Incorporated, the licensee of community radio service 7THE Hobart, breached the Community Broadcasting Code of Practice by failing to respond to a complaint.

On 18 August 2005, ACMA received a written complaint alleging that the licensee of 7THE had failed to provide a written response to a complaint, as required by the code.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that Hobart FM Incorporated, the licensee of community radio service 7THE Hobart, breached the Community Broadcasting Code of Practice by failing to respond to a complaint.

On 18 August 2005, ACMA received a written complaint alleging that the licensee of 7THE had failed to provide a written response to a complaint, as required by the code.

Bob Maumill will return to Perth’s 6PR to replace Liam Bartlett in the all important morning slot.

Maumill was until recently the 6PR afternoon presenter but left after a long running feud with station manager Declan Kelly came to a head. Tattler believes the two have sorted out any problems they may have had although with Bob’s unique style anything could happen in the future! Gary Shannon replaced himÂ on afternoons.

Away from radio Maumill’s other great love is horse racing, so much so 6PR have allowed the program to now start at 9.00am so Bob can take care of his early morning horse commitments.The rumour mill has mentioned many other names who were keen for the position including Terry Willisee, Matt Price (a newspaper man) and a couple of current 6PR presenters.Â

There is a new drive show on Melbourne radio and it might just be the tonic that Vega 91.5Â needs to climb the ratings ladder.

Wilbur Wilde understands the music he plays andÂ that seems to connect well with the audience. The passion and knowledge about the music shines through - the stories and quotesÂ he adds are a bonus.

Radio just mightÂ be crying out for a drive time show that does more than play a good mix of musicÂ although there are shows out there that areÂ doing it well.Â Â

At the other end of the spectrum, Vega drive is refreshingÂ unlike some other FM stations (catering to totallyÂ different demographics of course) WilburÂ does not talk down to callers through boof headed comedy routines and dodgey/risky call in topics.

When the lines are thrown open for callers to contribute to the topic, what ever that may be, it is refreshing to hear callers and host talking on the same level with Wilbur knowing just what to extract from the caller.

After a detailed investigation by Australian Communications and Media Authority inspectors, Mr George Leoudis of Hurlstone Park, New South Wales, the operator of a Sydney Greek-language radio service, was last week convicted and fined for operating an unlicensed radio transmitter.After pleading not guilty to an offence against the Radiocommunications Act 1992, for the unlicensed operation of a radiocommunications device, Mr Leoudis received a penalty of $4000 plus court costs totalling $65, while his radio transmitter was forfeited to the Commonwealth. FULL ACMA PRESS RELEASE HERE

Finalists announced for 2006 Radio AwardsFive of Australia's best-known on-air teams will battle it out to win this year's Best On-Air Team (metropolitan) gong with finalists announced today in the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), including last year's winners Merrick and Rosso Breakfast (Nova 969); along with The Kyle and Jackie O Show (2Day FM); Brendon Jones and Amanda Keller (WS FM Breakfast); The Cage (Triple M); and Ross Stevenson and John Burns (3AW Breakfast). The well-known on-air teams join many of Australia's radio personalities and talking heads from across metropolitan, regional and country stations as finalists in the 18th annual ACRAs, with the winners to be announced at a gala ceremony at Sydney's Luna Park on October 14.Another category hotly contested is the Best Talk Presenter (metropolitan) category with finalists including Stan

With the proposed changers to media ownership laws Mark Day puts a realist spin on the outcome.

The Howard Government may support the principles of a free enterprise market economy, but when it comes to media it says one thing and does the other. It now plans to re-regulate the radio sector in a way that will return us to the bad old days. It is a backward step, one pushed on it by its populist bush partners, the Nationals, who in turn are reacting to a classic bush whinge. FULL STORY THE AUSTRALIAN

True to his word 3AW’s Derryn Hinch has no case to answer in the alleged sex claim brought about by former Army major Mary Ann Martinek. Police have filed a report with the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions recommending no charges be laid againstÂ Derryn Hinch.

He admitted on air during the drive program on 3AW in March that he did have a brief sexual encounter with Mary AnnÂ Martinek but that it was consensual.Â He has vowed to pursue her for extortion.

“I went to the police, and I said ‘this is extortion’ and I intend to follow that one. I’ll chase it in every rabbit hole … because my name has been partly cleared, now I want to make her feel the heat.” I knew that I’d done nothing wrong and I said way back that it was malicious, it was vindictive,”

Derryn who normallyÂ calls a spade a spade who is suffering from a mystery illness and has refused to reveal exactly what it is. Even those in the industry who are close to him have not been told just how serious his condition is.

At 2UE Mike Williams has once again covered evenings for Stan Zemanek. Mike Williams said he was sitting in for Stan who is taking a breather for a night or two. Stan Zemanek is currently fightingÂ the battle of his life after being diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year.

Some time back radionews.com.au told you about the wonderfulÂ photographicÂ history of Geelong’s 3GL. Since that timeÂ Sandy McGray has compiled over 60 images relating to 3GL’s early years into a slideshow. Check out his site and keep an eye out for a young John Vertigan. 3GL Slide show

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has launched a six part radio series, Your Money, designed to help consumers distinguish genuine financial opportunities fromÂ scams.

â€œConsumers are often dazzled by offers of high returns from supposedly secure investments. Itâ€™s important that we provide accurate and accessible information to help consumers make informed decisions about their money. This radio series is an innovative way of helping with those decisions,â€ said Greg Tanzer, ASICâ€™s executive director of consumer protection.

â€œWeâ€™re delighted that radio stations are helping protect consumers from everyday financial traps and scams and giving them skills to take control of their financial future.”

The radio broadcast, also available online from ASICâ€™s website, www.fido.gov.au, will feature a range of issues including budgeting and simple savings tips, managing bank accounts, loans and credit cards, getting more from superannuation and understanding insurance. (Financial Standard)

JOHN Hinde, who died this month at the age of 94, was one of the best loved personalities in Australian television and radio.Â He passed away earlier this month in Sydney.Â The Australian pays tribute to this remarkable man. FULL STORY

Respected children’s charity Variety is likely to accept thousands of dollars in donations raised with the help of killer Mark “Chopper” Read despite his appearance at an event outraging some guests and sponsors

3AW’s Derryn Hinch, who is a Variety ambassador, was disgusted to learn of Read’s role at the event. “This is a man who was on TV gloating about how many people he has killed. It is just reprehensible.” Hinch has told The Australian the night was like “inviting Hitler to a bar mitzvah”.

THE Federal Government faces an uphill battle to get its media bill through Parliament, as the influential National Party MP Paul Neville said yesterday that he would not support it without significant changes.

Mr Neville, who chairs the federal Coalition’s backbench communications committee, wants laws introduced that would stop one company from owning a television station, radio station and newspaper in “major provincial markets” such as Cairns, Dubbo and Albury. FULL STORY SMH

RTRFM is an independent, community radio station broadcasting 24 hours a day to the Perth metro areaÂ on 92.1FMÂ It is Western Australia’s oldest FM radio station, originally established by the University of Western Australia in 1977 as 6UVS.

RTRFM often provides quality programming and music that cannot be found anywhere else. Providing this alternative isn’t cheap, and as such the station relies on Radiothon to ensure it can continue to operate. This is one of the most important Radiothons in RTRFM’s history, with the station recently boosting its staffing levels and operations to improve on the sound of the station. Radiothon 2006 kicks off on Friday August 11 http://www.rtrfm.com.au

Steve Bedwell covered 3AWÂ mid dawnsÂ in place of Alan Pearsal this weekend. This morning Billy Pinell extended his music segment into the midnight hour and was warmly received by the reaction from the callers.

“The media is like a human body it’s always under attack from people who are trying to centralise and take away that diversity of views and you’ve always got to be ever vigilant to protect that because protecting the media, protecting the fourth estate protects our democracy.”

Channel 10 will air a Television version of the syndicated radio program The Cyber Shack.

CYBERSHACK TV, a joint venture between Chic Media and CBN Media, is already Australiaâ€™s number one independent and dedicated gaming & gadget website (www.cybershack.com) and is a successful radio show with over 200,000 weekly listeners nationally.

Controversial Nationals Queensland senator Barnaby Joyce has again refused to rule out crossing the floor to vote against the government when legislation on media ownership comes before the Senate.

Under the changes, limits on foreign companies owning a share of the national media will be lifted and Australian firms will get the chance for the first time to own print, radio and TV interests in one city or regional area.

Senator Joyce’s vote is needed by the government if the changes are to become law.

On Saturday, he said he had yet to see the legislation but already had reservations about some parts of it.

“On any piece of legislation, especially a major piece of legislation, I reserve my right to be a senator for my state, a senator for my nation, and to implement the legislation as it is required,” Senator Joyce told reporters outside the Queensland Nationals state conference on Saturday.

“Part of that process must allow me, on issues if required, to cross the floor.

“I will never, ever rule that out because to do so would be to say that I’m defrauding the people of the reason I’m in Canberra.”

In October last year, Senator Joyce became the first government senator to cross the floor when he opposed an overhaul of competition law that would curb the powers of competition watchdog the ACCC over business mergers.

Deputy Prime Minister and federal Nationals Leader Mark Vaile - also in Brisbane for the Nationals state conference - said Senator Joyce’s stance came as no surprise.

“I think that Barnaby is taking a consistent position, as he has done, as far as legislation is concerned.

“As Barnaby normally does, he wants to see the legislation, and that’s fine.

“That’s part of the role of scrutiny of the Senate.”

The media ownership legislation comes before the Senate at its next sitting, which begins next month.

In light of the revelation that 2DAY FM breakfast duo Kyle and Jackie staged a call in segmentÂ yesterday morning one must also ponder how many of these canned laughter painfully burdened breakfast shows gotcha calls are actually on the money as well.

The corn laden calls can usually be pre scripted to the trained ear, not unlike a person of basic intellect picking the next installment in a soap opera.

The sad thing is that many of the presenters also believe they are pioneers in this form of breakfast radio. Â Not so my friends and as one wise old breakfast jock once said “Wake up”

If youÂ thought it would be hard to get up for breakfast radio, imagine doing it after a sleepless night. Nova 91.9 brekkie presenter Tony Moclair and his wife, Kate, have welcomed a new edition to their family. But baby Raphael is proving to be a bit of a handful.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to have him here but it’s a total change of pace,” Tony says.Raphael was born last Thursday and arrived home on Tuesday.

“It’s amazing. You tend to lose track of time,” Tony says. “You have this little person in your life who calls all the shots.”

After sleepless nights, Tony is worried about getting up for work. “I normally get up at 4am for work but I imagine that will be harder when I have only had one hour’s sleep,” he says. (source Adelaide Confidential)

From Monday Rhonda Reid takes over the 2AY afternoon airwaves. Rhonda will host between noon and 4pm and brings her own unique style to the Border city.

The former counsellor, masseuse, natural therapist, health food store owner and motivational speaker has an impressive track record of community involvement.Reid plans to put that experience into practice on Monday as the new host of 2AYâ€™s noon to 4pm slot, replacing Ray Kington who left the station in April.

After six months as an announcer and news director broadcasting to the bulk of remote Queensland, Reid is looking forward to her 2AY debut.â€œI hope to bring my passion for life, my warped sense of humour and my caring nature to 2AY,â€ she said. As well as afternoons Reid will also present Saturday mornings. FULL STORY BORDER MAIL

Alan Jones will face a legal problem if he tries to sue journalist Chris Masters for a claim that Jones is homosexual: in 21st-century Australia, it is unlikely that claims of homosexuality per se are still defamatory. FULL STORY THE AGE

Unbelievable but true podcasting looks like it is here to stay and The Sydney Morning Herald reports that it is the ABC that is leading the charge. Randal Mathieson, said more than 1.5 million podcasts were downloaded in June and with the way figures are heading that should reach a staggering 2 million a month by the end of 2006.

Austereo predicts that by December 2006 just on a million downloads will be flowing out to MP3 players. They are currently providing over 700,000 thousand a month although they do point out that if they were pumping out more content that figure would climb to the one miliion mark almost overnight. Even Alan Jones over at 2GB breakfast surpremo Alan Jones is hitting the 100,000 thousand mark per year.

Podcasting is growing there is no doubt about it and besides the ‘commercial’ side of things taking off there is also the growing niche players from across the net that are offering product on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Related article SMH

Dave O’Neil’s move from Nova to sister station Vega 91.5fm has set tongues wagging in the radio world.

Many people can’t understand why O’Neil has left a breakfast program rating a 10.3 per cent market share to join one rating 0.9 per cent. All sorts of conspiracy theories have been doing the rounds. The first is that he has been sacked from Nova and been offered the Vega job on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. FULL STORY HERALD SUN

WHEN it comes to football commentary, 3AW’s Clinton Grybas is a natural. In fact, ABC Radio was so impressed with Grybas’s natural calling talents, it hired him in 1996 when there wasn’t really a vacancy. That was when he was a fresh-faced 21-year-old who’d been calling local football on Eastern FM community radio in Croydon. “I won an ABC cricket commentary prize after sitting at a Victoria-New South Wales one-dayer and taping my commentary into a little tape recorder,” Grybas recalls. FULL STORY HERALD SUN

The ACMA is seriously consideringÂ investigation into comments by Fiveaa’s Bob Francis that a magistrate’s face should be “smashed in”.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which received a complaint against Francis as a result of the October 26 program, today said it was yet to receive a copy of the court’s judgment.

“But it’s certainly a matter that we’re aware of and we have an interest in,” ACMA spokesman Donald Robertson said.

He said ACMA would read the judgment before deciding whether to conduct its own investigation to determine if 5AA had breached licensing conditions by allowing Francis’ comments to be aired.

WAVE FM, who started life as 2WL celebrated 75 years of broadcasting yesterday. 2WL WollongongÂ was launchedÂ on 18 July 1931 by Wollongong Broadcasting Co and converted to the FM band in 1992. Wave FM

Bob Francis andÂ Fiveaa have both been found guilty of contempt of court, for which he could be jailed.The charge followed an on-air outburst in October last year, when Francis criticised a senior magistrate for even considering a bail application from a man charged with possessing child pornography.

But magistrates are legally bound to hear all bail applications.

Francis andÂ Fiveaa have already settled a defamation case brought by the magistrate.

RADIO station 4TO lost another of its key members last week when the popular Minty (aka Glenn Mintern) departed for rival 4TTT - the community station that according to the latest tracking is giving its bigger (and wealthier) commercial opposition a bit of a jolt, particularly since the relaunch of its ‘Not the Nine O’Clock News’ at, yes, 8am. Last week the segment provided excellent radio and John Hubbard’s rendition of Cinderella was sheer brilliance. Minty, the arvo voice of 4TO, goes into a new role at the community station - that of GM - but no doubt he will combine a bit of paper shuffling with some welcomed on-air activity. (Townsville Bulletin)

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has renewed the licence for New South Wales community broadcasting service 2HHH Hornsby after the station was able to satisfy concerns raised by the Authority. FULL STORY

2UE’s evening host Stan Zemanek Â is battling a brain tumour vowing to fight on. Stan was diagnosed in early May and told he had just weeks to live. He has just come throughÂ 6 weeks of extensive radiationÂ treatment and is now set to commence the next stage which is chemotherapy.

Ever the trooper Stan returned to his 2UE show some weeks ago but quickly realised he was not ready, this week he did return to host his nightly show atÂ 2UE, where he wasÂ overwhelmed by theÂ wave of supportive emails and calls from listeners.

Liam BartlettÂ has joined Channel 9’s 60 Minutes, with an offer to good to refuse. Bartlett who joined 6PR from the rival AM ABCÂ station earlier this year had full intentions of staying the distance at 6PRÂ where he replaced Paul Murray.

He will remainÂ in his current role for the next 3 weeks beforeÂ moving to SydneyÂ with his wife and 3 children.Â He will commence with 60Â Minutes in the first week of August. He replaces 60 Minutes veteran Richard Carleton, who died from a heart attack while covering the Beaconsfield miners’ rescue.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has renewed the licence for New South Wales community broadcasting service 2HHH Hornsby after the station was able to satisfy concerns raised by the Authority. FULL STORY

This month 3MP turns 30! It seems like only yesterday that Melbourne had that summer feeling with the first new commercial radio station in close to 40 years. Launched on July 21 1976, 3MPÂ settled into an original format at little less edgey than that of power house 3XY.

In 1985 3MP picked up the Beautiful Music format discarded by 3AK. It was this that lead 3MP to some of its strongest audience share ever. The station evolved with the format and as the music was adjusted to meet the audience response the station went from strength to strength.

After buying out the failing 3EE in 1993 3MP began to broadcast on two frequencies, 1377Â and 693. Management knew this could not last forever and after various complaints from rival stations 3MP launched Magic 693.

In the mid 1990’s 3AW bought both 3MP and Magic 693. 3AW already had a sinking ship on its hands at the time, 3AK! (which it hadÂ bought and relaunched as you guessed it, a beautiful music station)Â 3AW knew it could only keep one station and at the time 3MP was viewed in many peoples eyes as the one that couldÂ be sustained. Wrong 3AW had their eyes on one station and that was the fledgling Magic 693 which had already began its ratings climb on 3MP..

The rest they say is history 3MP was soldÂ but first its once quality newsroom was closed, more or lessÂ 3MPÂ had some some vital organs ripped out. After being discharged into the hands ofÂ Â Goulburn Valley Broadcasters the station carried on in an easy listening format with varying levels of ratings and an ever shrinking workforce.

The station derived its name fromÂ the Mornington PeninsulaÂ ’MP’Â and up until 2002Â the station was based in Frankston where it was very much part of the fabric of the Peninsula Â community for much of its first 25 years or so. After Data and Commerce purchased the station in 2001, the following year it moved in with sister station 3AK in inner city Richmond.

THE radio industry has slammed proposals to protect regional content levels as part of the Government’s media reform plans and warned that new digital services must not be used as a “back door into radio”.

Industry body Commercial Radio Australia said plans to regulate local news, community service announcements and emergency warnings were “heavy-handed” and, in the case of emergency warnings, “redundant” as they were already covered by the industry codes of practice.

The reforms, unveiled by Communications Minister Helen Coonan yesterday, show the Government will legislate to protect regional content on radio and television to combat criticism of its “four voices” diversity test in regional areas FULL STORY THE AUSTRALIAN

NOBODY seems to have read Chris Masters’s Jonestown biography of radio shock jock Alan Jones, but everyone seems to know what’s in it.

The whole exercise has been a masterpiece of pre-publicity for the yet-unpublished book, but there seems a largish body of mysteriously informed opinion that Jones has taken exception to references to his sexuality and, according to rival Mike Carlton, a number of gay sexual encounters FULL STORY COURIER MAIL

“With a title like I Failed! I did realise I was leaving myself somewhat open there,” she says.

“If a show about failing on radio then also failed, if the reviews were going to be along the lines of ‘I Failed - she sure did!’, I think I would have killed myself. But the fact that we’re chatting would indicate that it’s been going pretty well.” FULL STORY SMH

Sister stations 2QN and 3NE will both be taking 3AW’s Sports Today from Monday the 17th of July. The program will replace the 2 hour music shift that currently times out to the Nightline program. Ironically 3NE’s FM counterpart Edge FM takes a live feed of Triple M’s Football.

Nova 100 breakfast trio Hughesy, Kate and DaveÂ are no more with the departure of Dave O’Neil toÂ sister station Vega 91.5. Dave has jumped straight into breakfast with the existing team of Denise Scott, Bev O’Connor and Shaun Micallef at Vega. Nova have renamed their breakfast show the Hughesy and Kate show while Tim Blackwell will anchor the program. .Â Â

The ACE Radio Network haveÂ recently replaced the relay of 3AW’s Nightline with their own programming, presented by regional veteran Mark Watson. ACE have enjoyed a six year invovlement with Nightline.

2QN and 3NE the two other regionalÂ stations that Â use Nightline will continue with the program.

Austereo’s future has been a talking point since the Government’s planned changes to media ownership laws were outlined early last month.But if the actions of major shareholder Village Roadshow are any indication, the radio group might be less vulnerable to a predator than speculated.

Austereo has long pointed to the support of the theme park and cinema operator, which has increased its stake from 66.2 per cent to 67.3 per cent. (Source SMH)

The AFL has put up a $1-million ticket for 2007 radio rights and restructured broadcast packages, which is expected to marginalise the ABC and result in 3AW and SEN fighting for the top-level rights.

The AFL’s senior executive in charge of broadcasting, Ben Buckley, confirmed the league was considering buying a stake in SEN, The Age said.

SEN has revealed it would bid against 3AW and Triple M for radio rights. “SEN are interested in bidding for all the packages we have on offer and we are looking at a relationship with them,” Mr Buckley told The Age.

The A-class package has been costed by the AFL at $1 million per station.Â 3AW met the figure, while Triple M baulked at it.

Industry sources had estimated the costs for rights were between $600,000 and $800,000

We welcome your comments on this topic. What stationsÂ do you thinkÂ will be calling AFL in 2007 and in comparision to TV rights are the radio rights cheap? Â Click on the comments link below to add your thoughts to this story.

Under the terms of Bob Francis new contract with FiveaaÂ he could virtually be finished up in between commercial breaks. The new contact he signed in February allows forÂ instantÂ dismissal if he committed contempt again according toÂ aÂ Fiveaa spokesman.

It was also revealed today that Fiveaa had paidÂ $110,000 to magistrate Gary GumplÂ Â who was defamed byÂ Bob Francis during a talk program. Â

In October last year Francis made on-air comments about a man charged with possessing child pornography, and magistrate Gary Gumpl’s decision to consider bail.

It has been announced that Simon Ruhfus has been appointed as the new General Manager for 2UE, replacing the departedÂ Ian Sheppard.

Simon will bring a new broom to 2UE and an extensive background across the industry including General Sales Manager - Austereo for 2Day FM national network, Marketing Manager for Prime TV, Network General Manager - Sales and Marketing - Australian Radio Network and General Manager Fox FM Melbourne.

You build up a mental image of the face that goes with the voice on the radio, basing your picture on the way they sound, but it’s probably a long way away from the reality.

For the most, though, when you create that mental image, it stays yours - nobody else sees it. However, artist Kieran Boland decided to make his public, by turning his mental images of radio announcers into paintings, and putting them on display in the ‘Face Radio Live’ project. He listened to the radio, painted what he heard and put it on the wall for everyone to see. SOURCE ABC FULL ARTICLE

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that Radio Eastern Sydney Cooperative Ltd, the licensee of community radio service 2RES, breached the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 by broadcasting an advertisement.

On 23 January 2006, ACMA received a complaint alleging that on 22 January 2006 the licensee of 2RES had broadcast an advertisement during the program Monika Geetmala (also known as Voice of India).

ACMA has found that the licensee of 2RES breached clause 9(1)(b) of Part 5, Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 in that it broadcast an advertisement for a restaurant.

To address the compliance issues raised by the breach finding, the licensee has ensured that the presenter of the program is aware of his obligations by reinforcing the need for diligence when presenting a program.

ACMA considers that this action is adequate to address the compliance issues raised by the investigation and ACMA will continue to monitor the licenseeâ€™s performance in this regard.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that Hobart FM Incorporated, the licensee of community radio service 7THE Hobart, breached the Community Broadcasting Code of Practice by failing to respond to a complaint.

On 18 August 2005, ACMA received a written complaint alleging that the licensee of 7THE had failed to provide a written response to a complaint, as required by the code.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that Hobart FM Incorporated, the licensee of community radio service 7THE Hobart, breached the Community Broadcasting Code of Practice by failing to respond to a complaint.

On 18 August 2005, ACMA received a written complaint alleging that the licensee of 7THE had failed to provide a written response to a complaint, as required by the code.

Bob Maumill will return to Perth’s 6PR to replace Liam Bartlett in the all important morning slot.

Maumill was until recently the 6PR afternoon presenter but left after a long running feud with station manager Declan Kelly came to a head. Tattler believes the two have sorted out any problems they may have had although with Bob’s unique style anything could happen in the future! Gary Shannon replaced himÂ on afternoons.

Away from radio Maumill’s other great love is horse racing, so much so 6PR have allowed the program to now start at 9.00am so Bob can take care of his early morning horse commitments.The rumour mill has mentioned many other names who were keen for the position including Terry Willisee, Matt Price (a newspaper man) and a couple of current 6PR presenters.Â

There is a new drive show on Melbourne radio and it might just be the tonic that Vega 91.5Â needs to climb the ratings ladder.

Wilbur Wilde understands the music he plays andÂ that seems to connect well with the audience. The passion and knowledge about the music shines through - the stories and quotesÂ he adds are a bonus.

Radio just mightÂ be crying out for a drive time show that does more than play a good mix of musicÂ although there are shows out there that areÂ doing it well.Â Â

At the other end of the spectrum, Vega drive is refreshingÂ unlike some other FM stations (catering to totallyÂ different demographics of course) WilburÂ does not talk down to callers through boof headed comedy routines and dodgey/risky call in topics.

When the lines are thrown open for callers to contribute to the topic, what ever that may be, it is refreshing to hear callers and host talking on the same level with Wilbur knowing just what to extract from the caller.

After a detailed investigation by Australian Communications and Media Authority inspectors, Mr George Leoudis of Hurlstone Park, New South Wales, the operator of a Sydney Greek-language radio service, was last week convicted and fined for operating an unlicensed radio transmitter.After pleading not guilty to an offence against the Radiocommunications Act 1992, for the unlicensed operation of a radiocommunications device, Mr Leoudis received a penalty of $4000 plus court costs totalling $65, while his radio transmitter was forfeited to the Commonwealth. FULL ACMA PRESS RELEASE HERE

Finalists announced for 2006 Radio AwardsFive of Australia's best-known on-air teams will battle it out to win this year's Best On-Air Team (metropolitan) gong with finalists announced today in the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), including last year's winners Merrick and Rosso Breakfast (Nova 969); along with The Kyle and Jackie O Show (2Day FM); Brendon Jones and Amanda Keller (WS FM Breakfast); The Cage (Triple M); and Ross Stevenson and John Burns (3AW Breakfast). The well-known on-air teams join many of Australia's radio personalities and talking heads from across metropolitan, regional and country stations as finalists in the 18th annual ACRAs, with the winners to be announced at a gala ceremony at Sydney's Luna Park on October 14.Another category hotly contested is the Best Talk Presenter (metropolitan) category with finalists including Stan

With the proposed changers to media ownership laws Mark Day puts a realist spin on the outcome.

The Howard Government may support the principles of a free enterprise market economy, but when it comes to media it says one thing and does the other. It now plans to re-regulate the radio sector in a way that will return us to the bad old days. It is a backward step, one pushed on it by its populist bush partners, the Nationals, who in turn are reacting to a classic bush whinge. FULL STORY THE AUSTRALIAN

True to his word 3AW’s Derryn Hinch has no case to answer in the alleged sex claim brought about by former Army major Mary Ann Martinek. Police have filed a report with the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions recommending no charges be laid againstÂ Derryn Hinch.

He admitted on air during the drive program on 3AW in March that he did have a brief sexual encounter with Mary AnnÂ Martinek but that it was consensual.Â He has vowed to pursue her for extortion.

“I went to the police, and I said ‘this is extortion’ and I intend to follow that one. I’ll chase it in every rabbit hole … because my name has been partly cleared, now I want to make her feel the heat.” I knew that I’d done nothing wrong and I said way back that it was malicious, it was vindictive,”

Derryn who normallyÂ calls a spade a spade who is suffering from a mystery illness and has refused to reveal exactly what it is. Even those in the industry who are close to him have not been told just how serious his condition is.

At 2UE Mike Williams has once again covered evenings for Stan Zemanek. Mike Williams said he was sitting in for Stan who is taking a breather for a night or two. Stan Zemanek is currently fightingÂ the battle of his life after being diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year.

Some time back radionews.com.au told you about the wonderfulÂ photographicÂ history of Geelong’s 3GL. Since that timeÂ Sandy McGray has compiled over 60 images relating to 3GL’s early years into a slideshow. Check out his site and keep an eye out for a young John Vertigan. 3GL Slide show

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has launched a six part radio series, Your Money, designed to help consumers distinguish genuine financial opportunities fromÂ scams.

â€œConsumers are often dazzled by offers of high returns from supposedly secure investments. Itâ€™s important that we provide accurate and accessible information to help consumers make informed decisions about their money. This radio series is an innovative way of helping with those decisions,â€ said Greg Tanzer, ASICâ€™s executive director of consumer protection.

â€œWeâ€™re delighted that radio stations are helping protect consumers from everyday financial traps and scams and giving them skills to take control of their financial future.”

The radio broadcast, also available online from ASICâ€™s website, www.fido.gov.au, will feature a range of issues including budgeting and simple savings tips, managing bank accounts, loans and credit cards, getting more from superannuation and understanding insurance. (Financial Standard)

JOHN Hinde, who died this month at the age of 94, was one of the best loved personalities in Australian television and radio.Â He passed away earlier this month in Sydney.Â The Australian pays tribute to this remarkable man. FULL STORY

Respected children’s charity Variety is likely to accept thousands of dollars in donations raised with the help of killer Mark “Chopper” Read despite his appearance at an event outraging some guests and sponsors

3AW’s Derryn Hinch, who is a Variety ambassador, was disgusted to learn of Read’s role at the event. “This is a man who was on TV gloating about how many people he has killed. It is just reprehensible.” Hinch has told The Australian the night was like “inviting Hitler to a bar mitzvah”.

THE Federal Government faces an uphill battle to get its media bill through Parliament, as the influential National Party MP Paul Neville said yesterday that he would not support it without significant changes.

Mr Neville, who chairs the federal Coalition’s backbench communications committee, wants laws introduced that would stop one company from owning a television station, radio station and newspaper in “major provincial markets” such as Cairns, Dubbo and Albury. FULL STORY SMH

RTRFM is an independent, community radio station broadcasting 24 hours a day to the Perth metro areaÂ on 92.1FMÂ It is Western Australia’s oldest FM radio station, originally established by the University of Western Australia in 1977 as 6UVS.

RTRFM often provides quality programming and music that cannot be found anywhere else. Providing this alternative isn’t cheap, and as such the station relies on Radiothon to ensure it can continue to operate. This is one of the most important Radiothons in RTRFM’s history, with the station recently boosting its staffing levels and operations to improve on the sound of the station. Radiothon 2006 kicks off on Friday August 11 http://www.rtrfm.com.au

Steve Bedwell covered 3AWÂ mid dawnsÂ in place of Alan Pearsal this weekend. This morning Billy Pinell extended his music segment into the midnight hour and was warmly received by the reaction from the callers.

“The media is like a human body it’s always under attack from people who are trying to centralise and take away that diversity of views and you’ve always got to be ever vigilant to protect that because protecting the media, protecting the fourth estate protects our democracy.”

Channel 10 will air a Television version of the syndicated radio program The Cyber Shack.

CYBERSHACK TV, a joint venture between Chic Media and CBN Media, is already Australiaâ€™s number one independent and dedicated gaming & gadget website (www.cybershack.com) and is a successful radio show with over 200,000 weekly listeners nationally.

Controversial Nationals Queensland senator Barnaby Joyce has again refused to rule out crossing the floor to vote against the government when legislation on media ownership comes before the Senate.

Under the changes, limits on foreign companies owning a share of the national media will be lifted and Australian firms will get the chance for the first time to own print, radio and TV interests in one city or regional area.

Senator Joyce’s vote is needed by the government if the changes are to become law.

On Saturday, he said he had yet to see the legislation but already had reservations about some parts of it.

“On any piece of legislation, especially a major piece of legislation, I reserve my right to be a senator for my state, a senator for my nation, and to implement the legislation as it is required,” Senator Joyce told reporters outside the Queensland Nationals state conference on Saturday.

“Part of that process must allow me, on issues if required, to cross the floor.

“I will never, ever rule that out because to do so would be to say that I’m defrauding the people of the reason I’m in Canberra.”

In October last year, Senator Joyce became the first government senator to cross the floor when he opposed an overhaul of competition law that would curb the powers of competition watchdog the ACCC over business mergers.

Deputy Prime Minister and federal Nationals Leader Mark Vaile - also in Brisbane for the Nationals state conference - said Senator Joyce’s stance came as no surprise.

“I think that Barnaby is taking a consistent position, as he has done, as far as legislation is concerned.

“As Barnaby normally does, he wants to see the legislation, and that’s fine.

“That’s part of the role of scrutiny of the Senate.”

The media ownership legislation comes before the Senate at its next sitting, which begins next month.

In light of the revelation that 2DAY FM breakfast duo Kyle and Jackie staged a call in segmentÂ yesterday morning one must also ponder how many of these canned laughter painfully burdened breakfast shows gotcha calls are actually on the money as well.

The corn laden calls can usually be pre scripted to the trained ear, not unlike a person of basic intellect picking the next installment in a soap opera.

The sad thing is that many of the presenters also believe they are pioneers in this form of breakfast radio. Â Not so my friends and as one wise old breakfast jock once said “Wake up”

If youÂ thought it would be hard to get up for breakfast radio, imagine doing it after a sleepless night. Nova 91.9 brekkie presenter Tony Moclair and his wife, Kate, have welcomed a new edition to their family. But baby Raphael is proving to be a bit of a handful.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to have him here but it’s a total change of pace,” Tony says.Raphael was born last Thursday and arrived home on Tuesday.

“It’s amazing. You tend to lose track of time,” Tony says. “You have this little person in your life who calls all the shots.”

After sleepless nights, Tony is worried about getting up for work. “I normally get up at 4am for work but I imagine that will be harder when I have only had one hour’s sleep,” he says. (source Adelaide Confidential)

From Monday Rhonda Reid takes over the 2AY afternoon airwaves. Rhonda will host between noon and 4pm and brings her own unique style to the Border city.

The former counsellor, masseuse, natural therapist, health food store owner and motivational speaker has an impressive track record of community involvement.Reid plans to put that experience into practice on Monday as the new host of 2AYâ€™s noon to 4pm slot, replacing Ray Kington who left the station in April.

After six months as an announcer and news director broadcasting to the bulk of remote Queensland, Reid is looking forward to her 2AY debut.â€œI hope to bring my passion for life, my warped sense of humour and my caring nature to 2AY,â€ she said. As well as afternoons Reid will also present Saturday mornings. FULL STORY BORDER MAIL

Alan Jones will face a legal problem if he tries to sue journalist Chris Masters for a claim that Jones is homosexual: in 21st-century Australia, it is unlikely that claims of homosexuality per se are still defamatory. FULL STORY THE AGE

Unbelievable but true podcasting looks like it is here to stay and The Sydney Morning Herald reports that it is the ABC that is leading the charge. Randal Mathieson, said more than 1.5 million podcasts were downloaded in June and with the way figures are heading that should reach a staggering 2 million a month by the end of 2006.

Austereo predicts that by December 2006 just on a million downloads will be flowing out to MP3 players. They are currently providing over 700,000 thousand a month although they do point out that if they were pumping out more content that figure would climb to the one miliion mark almost overnight. Even Alan Jones over at 2GB breakfast surpremo Alan Jones is hitting the 100,000 thousand mark per year.

Podcasting is growing there is no doubt about it and besides the ‘commercial’ side of things taking off there is also the growing niche players from across the net that are offering product on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Related article SMH

Dave O’Neil’s move from Nova to sister station Vega 91.5fm has set tongues wagging in the radio world.

Many people can’t understand why O’Neil has left a breakfast program rating a 10.3 per cent market share to join one rating 0.9 per cent. All sorts of conspiracy theories have been doing the rounds. The first is that he has been sacked from Nova and been offered the Vega job on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. FULL STORY HERALD SUN

WHEN it comes to football commentary, 3AW’s Clinton Grybas is a natural. In fact, ABC Radio was so impressed with Grybas’s natural calling talents, it hired him in 1996 when there wasn’t really a vacancy. That was when he was a fresh-faced 21-year-old who’d been calling local football on Eastern FM community radio in Croydon. “I won an ABC cricket commentary prize after sitting at a Victoria-New South Wales one-dayer and taping my commentary into a little tape recorder,” Grybas recalls. FULL STORY HERALD SUN

The ACMA is seriously consideringÂ investigation into comments by Fiveaa’s Bob Francis that a magistrate’s face should be “smashed in”.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which received a complaint against Francis as a result of the October 26 program, today said it was yet to receive a copy of the court’s judgment.

“But it’s certainly a matter that we’re aware of and we have an interest in,” ACMA spokesman Donald Robertson said.

He said ACMA would read the judgment before deciding whether to conduct its own investigation to determine if 5AA had breached licensing conditions by allowing Francis’ comments to be aired.

WAVE FM, who started life as 2WL celebrated 75 years of broadcasting yesterday. 2WL WollongongÂ was launchedÂ on 18 July 1931 by Wollongong Broadcasting Co and converted to the FM band in 1992. Wave FM

Bob Francis andÂ Fiveaa have both been found guilty of contempt of court, for which he could be jailed.The charge followed an on-air outburst in October last year, when Francis criticised a senior magistrate for even considering a bail application from a man charged with possessing child pornography.

But magistrates are legally bound to hear all bail applications.

Francis andÂ Fiveaa have already settled a defamation case brought by the magistrate.

RADIO station 4TO lost another of its key members last week when the popular Minty (aka Glenn Mintern) departed for rival 4TTT - the community station that according to the latest tracking is giving its bigger (and wealthier) commercial opposition a bit of a jolt, particularly since the relaunch of its ‘Not the Nine O’Clock News’ at, yes, 8am. Last week the segment provided excellent radio and John Hubbard’s rendition of Cinderella was sheer brilliance. Minty, the arvo voice of 4TO, goes into a new role at the community station - that of GM - but no doubt he will combine a bit of paper shuffling with some welcomed on-air activity. (Townsville Bulletin)

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has renewed the licence for New South Wales community broadcasting service 2HHH Hornsby after the station was able to satisfy concerns raised by the Authority. FULL STORY

2UE’s evening host Stan Zemanek Â is battling a brain tumour vowing to fight on. Stan was diagnosed in early May and told he had just weeks to live. He has just come throughÂ 6 weeks of extensive radiationÂ treatment and is now set to commence the next stage which is chemotherapy.

Ever the trooper Stan returned to his 2UE show some weeks ago but quickly realised he was not ready, this week he did return to host his nightly show atÂ 2UE, where he wasÂ overwhelmed by theÂ wave of supportive emails and calls from listeners.

Liam BartlettÂ has joined Channel 9’s 60 Minutes, with an offer to good to refuse. Bartlett who joined 6PR from the rival AM ABCÂ station earlier this year had full intentions of staying the distance at 6PRÂ where he replaced Paul Murray.

He will remainÂ in his current role for the next 3 weeks beforeÂ moving to SydneyÂ with his wife and 3 children.Â He will commence with 60Â Minutes in the first week of August. He replaces 60 Minutes veteran Richard Carleton, who died from a heart attack while covering the Beaconsfield miners’ rescue.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has renewed the licence for New South Wales community broadcasting service 2HHH Hornsby after the station was able to satisfy concerns raised by the Authority. FULL STORY

This month 3MP turns 30! It seems like only yesterday that Melbourne had that summer feeling with the first new commercial radio station in close to 40 years. Launched on July 21 1976, 3MPÂ settled into an original format at little less edgey than that of power house 3XY.

In 1985 3MP picked up the Beautiful Music format discarded by 3AK. It was this that lead 3MP to some of its strongest audience share ever. The station evolved with the format and as the music was adjusted to meet the audience response the station went from strength to strength.

After buying out the failing 3EE in 1993 3MP began to broadcast on two frequencies, 1377Â and 693. Management knew this could not last forever and after various complaints from rival stations 3MP launched Magic 693.

In the mid 1990’s 3AW bought both 3MP and Magic 693. 3AW already had a sinking ship on its hands at the time, 3AK! (which it hadÂ bought and relaunched as you guessed it, a beautiful music station)Â 3AW knew it could only keep one station and at the time 3MP was viewed in many peoples eyes as the one that couldÂ be sustained. Wrong 3AW had their eyes on one station and that was the fledgling Magic 693 which had already began its ratings climb on 3MP..

The rest they say is history 3MP was soldÂ but first its once quality newsroom was closed, more or lessÂ 3MPÂ had some some vital organs ripped out. After being discharged into the hands ofÂ Â Goulburn Valley Broadcasters the station carried on in an easy listening format with varying levels of ratings and an ever shrinking workforce.

The station derived its name fromÂ the Mornington PeninsulaÂ ’MP’Â and up until 2002Â the station was based in Frankston where it was very much part of the fabric of the Peninsula Â community for much of its first 25 years or so. After Data and Commerce purchased the station in 2001, the following year it moved in with sister station 3AK in inner city Richmond.

THE radio industry has slammed proposals to protect regional content levels as part of the Government’s media reform plans and warned that new digital services must not be used as a “back door into radio”.

Industry body Commercial Radio Australia said plans to regulate local news, community service announcements and emergency warnings were “heavy-handed” and, in the case of emergency warnings, “redundant” as they were already covered by the industry codes of practice.

The reforms, unveiled by Communications Minister Helen Coonan yesterday, show the Government will legislate to protect regional content on radio and television to combat criticism of its “four voices” diversity test in regional areas FULL STORY THE AUSTRALIAN

NOBODY seems to have read Chris Masters’s Jonestown biography of radio shock jock Alan Jones, but everyone seems to know what’s in it.

The whole exercise has been a masterpiece of pre-publicity for the yet-unpublished book, but there seems a largish body of mysteriously informed opinion that Jones has taken exception to references to his sexuality and, according to rival Mike Carlton, a number of gay sexual encounters FULL STORY COURIER MAIL

“With a title like I Failed! I did realise I was leaving myself somewhat open there,” she says.

“If a show about failing on radio then also failed, if the reviews were going to be along the lines of ‘I Failed - she sure did!’, I think I would have killed myself. But the fact that we’re chatting would indicate that it’s been going pretty well.” FULL STORY SMH

Sister stations 2QN and 3NE will both be taking 3AW’s Sports Today from Monday the 17th of July. The program will replace the 2 hour music shift that currently times out to the Nightline program. Ironically 3NE’s FM counterpart Edge FM takes a live feed of Triple M’s Football.

Nova 100 breakfast trio Hughesy, Kate and DaveÂ are no more with the departure of Dave O’Neil toÂ sister station Vega 91.5. Dave has jumped straight into breakfast with the existing team of Denise Scott, Bev O’Connor and Shaun Micallef at Vega. Nova have renamed their breakfast show the Hughesy and Kate show while Tim Blackwell will anchor the program. .Â Â

The ACE Radio Network haveÂ recently replaced the relay of 3AW’s Nightline with their own programming, presented by regional veteran Mark Watson. ACE have enjoyed a six year invovlement with Nightline.

2QN and 3NE the two other regionalÂ stations that Â use Nightline will continue with the program.